Putting the pressure on to play in your favourite position.

There have been reports that Kurtley Beale is interested in a move to rugby league after the World Cup. He has been approached by the Canterbury Bulldogs and appears to be seriously considering a return to league, which he played at schoolboy level, because he feels his best position is at 10 and that has been blocked by players like Foley. The role of backline super sub does not appear to sit well with him: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9380946,00.html

The timing of this story will not work in Bealey's favour. The ARU are already taking criticism for letting a marketable star in Nick Cummins go to Japan. Beale, however, is more in the JOC camp. A few years ago in 2010, with Beale kicking last minute goals in SA to claim victory, reports of Beale moving to league would have sent shockwaves through Australia. My feeling now, however, is Beale is in no-man's land. Folau is the clear number one fullback in Australia. No luck there. Toomua is the frontrunner at 12. His Waratah's team mate, Foley, is on the rise at 10 and looks to be a viable option to Cooper. So although he can get game time for the Waratahs, his Wallabies options seem limited to a bench role. Wing seems the best bet of getting a regular spot but I don't think Beale is suited to that role.

It is difficult to know how these stories get out. If Beale is sticking around for the World Cup but is using this story as leverage to gaining time at flyhalf, his preferred option, I feel he is misguided or at least the agent representing him. With the 2011 RWC, the ARU would have walked through fire to retain the services of Beale. Obviously they would prefer not to lose a high profile player now to league, but if I were McKenzie, I would not want to appear to be pandering to somebody who has had indiscretions in the past and play somebody in a position where he has not had any game time this year.

Across the ditch, there are examples of players like Kaino or SBW who have come back to compete in the next World Cup. They are in the fortunate position that there is a need for their particular skillset in the NZ team. If Beale is serious about playing in the World Cup next year, he needs to tread a careful line with regard to his league aspirations. Transparency is always the best option. Kaino took the risk that when he came back, a player had not moved ahead of him. That almost worked with Steven Luatua and Messam had a stellar year last year. Kaino was fortunate that Luatua had a difficult second year with the Blues and only in the last few games started to show his full potential and Messam looked ineffectual at 6 in a test shirt this year. SBW, since his Bulldog days, has at least clearly mapped out his future so as to know where he stands. Beale may feel this is the last chance to throw the die in order to get into a 10 shirt. I wonder if he is getting the best advice because he looked about as comfortable at 10 as JOC did.

Beale started out at flyhalf for the Waratahs in 2008 but was moved to fullback in 2010 and got player of the year in 2011. He moved to the Rebels to again play at flyhalf after the departure of Cipriani and there were some notable wins like against the Bulls but both he and JOC took too much of the workload and succumbed to injury. Beale was never a sure bet with his goalkicking and though his running game is a strength of his game, kicking and passing - fundamentals of the flyhalf role - are not his strong points. Folau was changed from wing to fullback because he looked better with that space to attack. Beale is putting the pressure on to go back to 10 but he will have a hard time explaining to the selectors that he is better suited to that position.

The selectors are answerable to their governing body and, at least indirectly, answerable to the fans. They are not answerable to Beale, wonderful player that he can be.

Its a crap choice but he has to either knuckle down and accept what opportunities come his way or try his hand at something else, but nobody else is responsible if he does go to league

Well we'll certainly give him a trial at 10 if he wants   

The difference in income between being just a Super Rugby stalwart and having a good contract with the ARU is very significant. It's not surprising that players start to look ahead to see what their chances are of being a Wallaby regular. Ben Mowen did the calculation and decided to move to France even though he'd been made captain. He realized age wasn't on his side, and doubted whether he would get a World Cup nod when everyone else was fit.

If he can't nail the position for his club, then he can't make it there at test level.

I suppose it depends on how badly a player wants to stay in a certain code and how badly he wants to play for a specific team.

Schalk Burger has been mentioned as the back up to Vermeulen at 8 due to his linking skills he has developed, in fact he can basically play any position in the back row.

Danie Rossouw was a SUper sub for most of his career behind Bakkies Botha and VIcki Matfield, got over 50 tests for the Boks playing wherever he was required.

AN ego is a dangerous thing.

Corey Jane got to play on the wing instead of at fullback for the Hurricanes. Nonu got pushed inward with the blessing of the NZRU. AAC gets pushed around positionally with gleeful abandon but I never hear a peep out of him and he always seems to make the test team somewhere. Versatility can be a curse but we've seen players like Earles, Tait, Hook and JOC moved around and Beale seems to be another player who is undoubtedly a talented football player but is not good enough, like any player, to be moved around willy-nilly. Ben Smith plays fullback for the Highlanders and last year played at 14 and 13 to varying degrees of success. He got the break and ended up at his favourite fullback position but that was not of his choosing and he certainly never complained when he wasn't playing at 15. Rene Ranger got a go at 14 and caught the eye at 13 but it was too late to change his contract in France.

Of course there are players like Nick Evans who tried to be patient but just never got any consistent game time. Sometimes all the patience in the world can mean you still never get your chance. Players like Matt Todd don't seem to mind but Beale might not be prepared to wait. I'm certainly not judging him. He's got a limited amount of time to make the most of his abilities so if he feels league is a better bet then that's his decision and his alone. It's just that IF he thinks by airing the possibility of him switching to league is a means of returning him to his favoured 10 position, then I think he's misguided in that opinion given his current status.

Beale is currently an excellent 23, and frankly in new rugby that is as important as having a good 10, 15 etc

I see Genia has been linked to bath after the World Cup. Will that spell the end as well for Cooper with his partner in crime overseas? Shame to see the fall from grace of Genia if the rumours are true. Such a talented player.

Fall from grace? What's this Kia, you mean his form or something else? He's been a bit off for a while now.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I see Genia has been linked to bath after the World Cup. Will that spell the end as well for Cooper with his partner in crime overseas? Shame to see the fall from grace of Genia if the rumours are true. Such a talented player.

I didn't know Genus was into burglary   

To be honest post rwc will probably see the end of a lot of players like Genus and Cooper from international rugby, unless they lift the trophee, because the build up for the next rwc will start and new young blood will be wanted.

He was the best 9 in the world. Now he can't even make the squad ebop! I see the NZRU has signed up 9 players past the RWC and others like Read won't be going anywhere I don't think. Don't think much of White or Phipps (more like our halfbacks of old!) so it's a blow for Australia.

A cynic might argue Beale's selection at fly half has been influenced by those rumours floating around earlier. Harsh on Foley and 12 is Beale's more threatening position and with Foley they could've even switched positions. foley, Beale and AAC would've been a far more cohesive and threatening backline than Beale, Toomua and AAC. mcAbe and Horne offer little threat. Does Link want the damage to be done infield rather than out wide?